Knicks · Dink Pate - A Diamond in the Rough (page 2)

Rookie @ 7/21/2025 12:29 PM
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

martin @ 7/21/2025 12:53 PM
VDesai @ 7/21/2025 2:20 PM
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Rookie @ 7/21/2025 2:46 PM
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Not offended but you are going to have to show me in the scouting report that it says he has mental issues and saying an 18 year old has stunted development is not something I would believe is there either

BigDaddyG @ 7/21/2025 2:56 PM
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Not offended but you are going to have to show me in the scouting report that it says he has mental issues and saying an 18 year old has stunted development is not something I would believe is there either

The G-League Ignite screwed several young players. Scoot had to relearn the PG position. Beachamp is still learning how to play. The rookie in Chicago saw his draft stock fall. I think Jalen Green and Kuminga would have been better served playing at a high level college. The structure never seemed to be there

VDesai @ 7/21/2025 3:00 PM
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Not offended but you are going to have to show me in the scouting report that it says he has mental issues and saying an 18 year old has stunted development is not something I would believe is there either

Almost all mentioned something about game processing or positional awareness. I look at these as the mental part of the game and the part that hopefully a good coaching program solves. He didn't have the support in the G-League and he didn't raise his stock in 2 yrs. I'm not talking about him having personality disorder, I'm talking him being a guy with good physical ability and natural ballplaying tools, but a guy that's a bit behind in reading the game and making the next play because he's not been a part of good programs. He probably would have been ahead of where he is now with 2 yrs at a decent college program, but is a bit further behind because of the G-League issues he ran into with the Ignite squad folding and playing in Mexico City.

Nalod @ 7/21/2025 4:14 PM
Any kid that goes pro is not about being mature or not, you are in the shark tank with men who will kill for the money.
The pressure, the competition, the back stabbing, the mercy of a coach, etc etc is not easy.
Kids that are like "Its been my dream since I was little....." Its the NBA, you a pro you expected to be prepared, you body, your mind, your attire, your food intake, sleep, undersgtand the law, ediquette, how to communicate, etc. If not, go to college. Money is not entitlement to be an asshole or just to buy shit with. Responsibility beyond buying your mom a house and taking care of your new exteded family and feeling powerfull from it.
Remember Kwame Brown? Kid did not know how to do laundry and he just threw out his under garments. He ate fast food because he did not know how to eat proper. Kid got crushed. You are expected to play at a high level and take it when you don't.

Ignite I suppose was a. bad idea and now kids can make real good money in "School" but get excellent "vocational" training and perhaps som life skills being at Duke, UNC, or Kentucky where they will feed your ego, your body, your mind, and how to deal with life just a bit. I think NCAA figured this shit out now.

I don't know a thing about Dink but hope he is the next big thing and knicks can benefit from it.

Rookie @ 7/21/2025 5:35 PM
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Not offended but you are going to have to show me in the scouting report that it says he has mental issues and saying an 18 year old has stunted development is not something I would believe is there either

Almost all mentioned something about game processing or positional awareness. I look at these as the mental part of the game and the part that hopefully a good coaching program solves. He didn't have the support in the G-League and he didn't raise his stock in 2 yrs. I'm not talking about him having personality disorder, I'm talking him being a guy with good physical ability and natural ballplaying tools, but a guy that's a bit behind in reading the game and making the next play because he's not been a part of good programs. He probably would have been ahead of where he is now with 2 yrs at a decent college program, but is a bit further behind because of the G-League issues he ran into with the Ignite squad folding and playing in Mexico City.

Why not just go with game processing positional awareness instead of mental issues? Or a bit behind instead on stunted development. Just saying you were a bit harsh and it paints the wrong picture. Now is the time to hype him up and then poop all over him after we sign him. It's the Knicks way bro

GustavBahler @ 7/21/2025 7:43 PM
There were times years ago when the Knicks would have 5 guards on the roster, and injuries forced the team to play all of them. More minutes for the bench means also more potential injuries. So while Pate, and some of the recent picks might be playing behind a lot of talent. There is a good chance they will get the call at some point in the season. Which makes the talent at the end of the bench encouraging.
EwingsGlass @ 7/22/2025 7:17 AM
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:
Rookie wrote:
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!

Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.

Why so offended. Scouting report stuff. Guy didn't develop in 2 yrs in the GLeague and went from being a high level prospect to not drafted. Hopefully we get him into a better organized program here than the Ignite Team or Mexico City and that gets him going.

Not offended but you are going to have to show me in the scouting report that it says he has mental issues and saying an 18 year old has stunted development is not something I would believe is there either

Almost all mentioned something about game processing or positional awareness. I look at these as the mental part of the game and the part that hopefully a good coaching program solves. He didn't have the support in the G-League and he didn't raise his stock in 2 yrs. I'm not talking about him having personality disorder, I'm talking him being a guy with good physical ability and natural ballplaying tools, but a guy that's a bit behind in reading the game and making the next play because he's not been a part of good programs. He probably would have been ahead of where he is now with 2 yrs at a decent college program, but is a bit further behind because of the G-League issues he ran into with the Ignite squad folding and playing in Mexico City.

Why not just go with game processing positional awareness instead of mental issues? Or a bit behind instead on stunted development. Just saying you were a bit harsh and it paints the wrong picture. Now is the time to hype him up and then poop all over him after we sign him. It's the Knicks way bro

This echoes my sentiment. If you put this kid and Trevor Keels in a gym and made me pick one, I’d go with this kid every time. He is raw. But he played point guard his entire career as a pass first kind of player but has been moved to wing due to his size. He should have joined a college program but don’t blame him for joining G League ignite. The Texas programs seem to put out a lot of raw physical players anyway. Like my man Jericho. We know this kid loves passing and rebounds. Sound familiar? But he has the height to do it. And I am not convinced his shot is uncurable. It’s a little awkward but has a high release point. Feel like he is if Mikel Bridges and Josh Hart had a baby. Reminds me a lot of Shaeden Sharpe. Less skills. Another skilled kid that might have gone pro a bit too fast.

PassTheBall @ 7/22/2025 2:30 PM
The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

EwingsGlass @ 7/22/2025 4:12 PM
PassTheBall wrote:The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

Love Diawara as well.

Assume we want two UDFA/Second Rd players and 1 vet min.

1) Diawara looks like the clear favorite for 1 slot unless he wants to play in Europe for another year.

2) Nnaji looks like he could use another year of organized ball somewhere. Don't hate working him out with Robinson and Huk. Could see him growing quickly in that trio. I'd be more likely to put him in Gleague or back in Europe to develop a bit more and sign a vet like Boucher (or even bring back Achiuwa). I see big upside in his wingspan and strength though.

3) McCullar. Probably the most polished of our yoots. Not unhappy with him and could see him being insurance to Hart. Probably my odd one out.

4) Dink. Least polished of all these players. But I think his upside is ahead of Kolek and McCullar. Riskier. Since he is a 6'7 point guard, I think he is the kind of player that creates mismatches, even if moved to wing. Since we already have McCullar's Gleague rights, I might have Dink signed to the NBA roster and let him run with both teams as much as possible. Could do the same with a G league contract, but they risk another team poaching him, I think. Unless they have the right to convert his contract.

foosballnick @ 7/23/2025 10:03 AM
EwingsGlass wrote:
PassTheBall wrote:The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

Love Diawara as well.

Assume we want two UDFA/Second Rd players and 1 vet min.

1) Diawara looks like the clear favorite for 1 slot unless he wants to play in Europe for another year.

2) Nnaji looks like he could use another year of organized ball somewhere. Don't hate working him out with Robinson and Huk. Could see him growing quickly in that trio. I'd be more likely to put him in Gleague or back in Europe to develop a bit more and sign a vet like Boucher (or even bring back Achiuwa). I see big upside in his wingspan and strength though.

3) McCullar. Probably the most polished of our yoots. Not unhappy with him and could see him being insurance to Hart. Probably my odd one out.

4) Dink. Least polished of all these players. But I think his upside is ahead of Kolek and McCullar. Riskier. Since he is a 6'7 point guard, I think he is the kind of player that creates mismatches, even if moved to wing. Since we already have McCullar's Gleague rights, I might have Dink signed to the NBA roster and let him run with both teams as much as possible. Could do the same with a G league contract, but they risk another team poaching him, I think. Unless they have the right to convert his contract.


Thinking that it comes down to a Team "Rights" as well as Roster Numbers game also tied into the remaining cap space. Knicks currently have 12 Rostered players and my understanding is that there is room for 2 more using a Vet Minimum contract as well as a Rookie/1st Year Player Exception contract.

Guessing that McCullar will get the Rookie/1st year exception contract and the other spot will go to a free agent TBD. Project that Diawara will spend another year in Europe as he was drafted - so the Knicks own his rights regardless with no cap impact this season. Thinking they will offer a 2-Way to Dink. Will probably try to retain Nnaji for Westchester but he may decide to go to Europe to develop further.

PassTheBall @ 7/23/2025 2:28 PM
foosballnick wrote:
EwingsGlass wrote:
PassTheBall wrote:The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

Love Diawara as well.

Assume we want two UDFA/Second Rd players and 1 vet min.

1) Diawara looks like the clear favorite for 1 slot unless he wants to play in Europe for another year.

2) Nnaji looks like he could use another year of organized ball somewhere. Don't hate working him out with Robinson and Huk. Could see him growing quickly in that trio. I'd be more likely to put him in Gleague or back in Europe to develop a bit more and sign a vet like Boucher (or even bring back Achiuwa). I see big upside in his wingspan and strength though.

3) McCullar. Probably the most polished of our yoots. Not unhappy with him and could see him being insurance to Hart. Probably my odd one out.

4) Dink. Least polished of all these players. But I think his upside is ahead of Kolek and McCullar. Riskier. Since he is a 6'7 point guard, I think he is the kind of player that creates mismatches, even if moved to wing. Since we already have McCullar's Gleague rights, I might have Dink signed to the NBA roster and let him run with both teams as much as possible. Could do the same with a G league contract, but they risk another team poaching him, I think. Unless they have the right to convert his contract.


Thinking that it comes down to a Team "Rights" as well as Roster Numbers game also tied into the remaining cap space. Knicks currently have 12 Rostered players and my understanding is that there is room for 2 more using a Vet Minimum contract as well as a Rookie/1st Year Player Exception contract.

Guessing that McCullar will get the Rookie/1st year exception contract and the other spot will go to a free agent TBD. Project that Diawara will spend another year in Europe as he was drafted - so the Knicks own his rights regardless with no cap impact this season. Thinking they will offer a 2-Way to Dink. Will probably try to retain Nnaji for Westchester but he may decide to go to Europe to develop further.


There is no way they send that much talent (Dia) back to Europe. Well maybe there is a way but that would be certainly hurt his development as he would more than likely develop faster under NBA conditions.

Potential foul tendencies aside, teams should always have room for a good defensive player.

Is Dink our 3rd string PG? I read that he is a PG. I don’t see it.

blkexec @ 7/23/2025 11:10 PM
PassTheBall wrote:
foosballnick wrote:
EwingsGlass wrote:
PassTheBall wrote:The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

Love Diawara as well.

Assume we want two UDFA/Second Rd players and 1 vet min.

1) Diawara looks like the clear favorite for 1 slot unless he wants to play in Europe for another year.

2) Nnaji looks like he could use another year of organized ball somewhere. Don't hate working him out with Robinson and Huk. Could see him growing quickly in that trio. I'd be more likely to put him in Gleague or back in Europe to develop a bit more and sign a vet like Boucher (or even bring back Achiuwa). I see big upside in his wingspan and strength though.

3) McCullar. Probably the most polished of our yoots. Not unhappy with him and could see him being insurance to Hart. Probably my odd one out.

4) Dink. Least polished of all these players. But I think his upside is ahead of Kolek and McCullar. Riskier. Since he is a 6'7 point guard, I think he is the kind of player that creates mismatches, even if moved to wing. Since we already have McCullar's Gleague rights, I might have Dink signed to the NBA roster and let him run with both teams as much as possible. Could do the same with a G league contract, but they risk another team poaching him, I think. Unless they have the right to convert his contract.


Thinking that it comes down to a Team "Rights" as well as Roster Numbers game also tied into the remaining cap space. Knicks currently have 12 Rostered players and my understanding is that there is room for 2 more using a Vet Minimum contract as well as a Rookie/1st Year Player Exception contract.

Guessing that McCullar will get the Rookie/1st year exception contract and the other spot will go to a free agent TBD. Project that Diawara will spend another year in Europe as he was drafted - so the Knicks own his rights regardless with no cap impact this season. Thinking they will offer a 2-Way to Dink. Will probably try to retain Nnaji for Westchester but he may decide to go to Europe to develop further.


There is no way they send that much talent (Dia) back to Europe. Well maybe there is a way but that would be certainly hurt his development as he would more than likely develop faster under NBA conditions.

Potential foul tendencies aside, teams should always have room for a good defensive player.

Is Dink our 3rd string PG? I read that he is a PG. I don’t see it.

Dink Pate played primarily point guard at L.G. Pinkston High School in West Dallas. He also played on the Adidas grassroots circuit with Team Trae Young, where he showcased his skills as a playmaker, according to ABC News.

PassTheBall @ 7/24/2025 4:58 AM
blkexec wrote:
PassTheBall wrote:
foosballnick wrote:
EwingsGlass wrote:
PassTheBall wrote:The real diamond is Diawara.

Dink better take our G-League team invite for this year.

Love Diawara as well.

Assume we want two UDFA/Second Rd players and 1 vet min.

1) Diawara looks like the clear favorite for 1 slot unless he wants to play in Europe for another year.

2) Nnaji looks like he could use another year of organized ball somewhere. Don't hate working him out with Robinson and Huk. Could see him growing quickly in that trio. I'd be more likely to put him in Gleague or back in Europe to develop a bit more and sign a vet like Boucher (or even bring back Achiuwa). I see big upside in his wingspan and strength though.

3) McCullar. Probably the most polished of our yoots. Not unhappy with him and could see him being insurance to Hart. Probably my odd one out.

4) Dink. Least polished of all these players. But I think his upside is ahead of Kolek and McCullar. Riskier. Since he is a 6'7 point guard, I think he is the kind of player that creates mismatches, even if moved to wing. Since we already have McCullar's Gleague rights, I might have Dink signed to the NBA roster and let him run with both teams as much as possible. Could do the same with a G league contract, but they risk another team poaching him, I think. Unless they have the right to convert his contract.


Thinking that it comes down to a Team "Rights" as well as Roster Numbers game also tied into the remaining cap space. Knicks currently have 12 Rostered players and my understanding is that there is room for 2 more using a Vet Minimum contract as well as a Rookie/1st Year Player Exception contract.

Guessing that McCullar will get the Rookie/1st year exception contract and the other spot will go to a free agent TBD. Project that Diawara will spend another year in Europe as he was drafted - so the Knicks own his rights regardless with no cap impact this season. Thinking they will offer a 2-Way to Dink. Will probably try to retain Nnaji for Westchester but he may decide to go to Europe to develop further.


There is no way they send that much talent (Dia) back to Europe. Well maybe there is a way but that would be certainly hurt his development as he would more than likely develop faster under NBA conditions.

Potential foul tendencies aside, teams should always have room for a good defensive player.

Is Dink our 3rd string PG? I read that he is a PG. I don’t see it.

Dink Pate played primarily point guard at L.G. Pinkston High School in West Dallas. He also played on the Adidas grassroots circuit with Team Trae Young, where he showcased his skills as a playmaker, according to ABC News.


Tell ABC News that he won’t be a PG in the NBA.

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